LGBT related health/medical volunteering: application help, hinder, or "BFD"

[ButAtYourBest]

I'm thinking of volunteering LGBT themed clinic. What do you think?

Will it help (in the way of an URM or underserved volunteering)? Or will it hurt (perhaps largely depending on geography of the school)? Or is it totally like a "BFD" type thing...

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[MarieMarie]

I wouldn't mention the LGBT focus. I asked a similar question, as I was involved with LGBT caucuses as an undergrad. I ended up listing it as working with a "student diversity group." Sucks, but you don't want to offend some 60 year old bigot right off the bat.

 

[ButAtYourBest]

I wouldn't mention the LGBT focus. I asked a similar question, as I was involved with LGBT caucuses as an undergrad. I ended up listing it as working with a "student diversity group." Sucks, but you don't want to offend some 60 year old bigot right off the bat.

yikes...well this isn't a student group, its a medical services clinic for like homeless LGBT youth. I suppose it will depend on school to school. But would i be able to "frame" it accordingly for school to school? If it's all one universal application? (obviously interviewing is a different story).

 

[CoolWhipp]

I agree with Marie. I live in a pretty open minded town but I never forget that there are people that might not be as welcoming to certain things.

 

[Disinence2]

I would list it. If LGBT health care is something you are passionate about then include it.

Medical schools arn't homophobic. And if they are then you wouldn't want to be going there anyways.

 

[CoolWhipp]

I would list it. If LGBT health care is something you are passionate about then include it.

Medical schools arn't homophobic. And if they are then you wouldn't want to be going there anyways.

Although you are right about medical schools not being homophobic, it only takes a few people to put your app in the waitlist pile.

 

[WNT Signaling]

I included my LGBT volunteer work in my activities, and it was a major part of my PS, and so far, I haven't had any problems. Ultimately, it's your call: for me, as a matter of principle, I refuse to hide who I am. Although some people might argue otherwise, my sexual orientations has impacted my life in so many ways that I cannot imagine not mentioning it

 

[MarieMarie]

yikes...well this isn't a student group, its a medical services clinic for like homeless LGBT youth. I suppose it will depend on school to school. But would i be able to "frame" it accordingly for school to school? If it's all one universal application? (obviously interviewing is a different story).

For the primary, you will be framing it in a universal way, as in for every school to see.

I had a hard time with this too. I don't want to hide my values, particularly when they encourage being out. I also don't want to give someone a trivial justification to reject me as an applicant. Your experience sounds really interesting, and I think you could write about helping an under-served or marginalized population. However you write about it, please, do not give them a reason to reject you.

 

[mdeast]

I'm thinking of volunteering LGBT themed clinic. What do you think?

Will it help (in the way of an URM or underserved volunteering)? Or will it hurt (perhaps largely depending on geography of the school)? Or is it totally like a "BFD" type thing...

I would mention it, but it's really your personal choice. I included LGBQT volunteer work on my AMCAS (cause I've done a lot of it....in MANY different settings). I actually just started volunteering in a LGBQT primary care-related free HIV Clinic, and I'm gonna include this in a few update letters to schools where I'm on hold. Personally, I've found better patient interaction experiences in those settings than most other clinical experiences I've had (which have been more doctor, nurse interactions rather than actually getting to work with patients). I also wrote about this volunteer work in diversity essays and how it related to me personally.
I have a few interviews already and I can't imagine it really affected my application as long as it's written in a relevant and logical manner.

Always be wary of how people perceive you, but I still believe that physicians are more accepting than this forum seems to let on. If it's important to you, why not include it?

 

[mdeast]

I included my LGBT volunteer work in my activities, and it was a major part of my PS, and so far, I haven't had any problems. Ultimately, it's your call: for me, as a matter of principle, I refuse to hide who I am. Although some people might argue otherwise, my sexual orientations has impacted my life in so many ways that I cannot imagine not mentioning it

I agree completely with the above statements.

If you frame this work in a medical relevant context (cause yes...this is MEDICAL SCHOOL admissions) I think it adds something to your app. Also, check up on MASR....most schools specifically list that they do not discriminate against sexual orientation in their admissions process. Yes, you do have to worry about a single homophobic doctor reading your app....but you could easily make the argument that you may have an equal chance of having a gay physician read your app (which conversely might swing things to your favor).

Think about it and make your own decision (there is superficial risk), but I'd still include it personally.